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Road Safety.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 December 2004

Tuesday, 7 December 2004

Questions (77)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

96 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to recent statistics from the National Roads Authority that more than half of all children being driven to school are not wearing seat belts; if he has plans to address this situation, which contributes to fatalities in road accidents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32324/04]

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Written answers

The 2003 survey was the first time that the wearing of seat belts by children was specifically measured in the NRA surveys on seat belt wearing. The survey found that front seat belt wearing rates averaged 68% for primary school children and 62% for those attending secondary school. The figures for rear seat belt wearing by primary and secondary school children were 48% and 44% respectively. This report provides a useful baseline to measure the effectiveness of a number of initiatives designed to increase seat belt wearing.

Under road traffic law, the driver of a vehicle is obliged to ensure that every passenger under 17 years of age is restrained by a seat belt or child restraint, as appropriate. A driver failing to comply with this requirement faces a fine up to €800 and up to four penalty points. The road safety strategy 2004 to 2005 provides that the gardaí will address the question of wearing of seat belts when they have an interaction with a driver.

On the educational side, the National Safety Council recently published a guide to child safety in cars, which provides vital information to parents and all those charged with the responsibility of transporting children safely in motor vehicles.

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